Emmett Hoops was seven when he determined to help save the nearly extinct American chestnut tree. He's 64 now, but his hope and passion are unabated. In this episode of Constant Wonder, you'll meet Emmett, but you'll also hear voices from the past: people who grew up under the leaves of the chestnut tree and who relied on its nutritious nuts—before blight drove it from the American forest around 1940.
Becoming a parent is daunting as is, but when you become a parent to children that are not biologically yours and come with previous family history, the road will have different and sometimes more difficult ups and downs in the parenting journey. Coach Bonnie Butler is on the podcast today talking about her journey adopting six siblings, how it went taking them into their home, the stress it put on their biological children, and the joys that come as you serve and love any child. If you are in a situation similar to Bonnie or are thinking about fostering or adopting children yourself, this is an episode that can help you see all aspects of this decision.
Shannah grew up in an unstable environment and left the church at a young age. Fifteen years later she re-enters the waters of baptism.
In this episode, Roseanne Service shares her story of how God has been with her through several life threatening events including a serious car accident, a brain tumor, and 2 aneurysms. But in her darkest moments, she has learned to lean into her faith and be grateful for all of the blessings in her life. Roseanne is an inspiration to anyone struggling with overwhelming test and trials in their lives. You don't want to miss it!
As Holy Week and Easter Sunday approach, we thought it would be helpful to visit with someone who could help us reflect on these sacred events in a new way. Our guest today, Dr. Kerry Muhlestein, recently wrote The Easter Connection, which dives into the biblical account of Holy Week and illuminates the theme of eternal unification. In this short book—you could read it in just one sitting—Kerry explores the various ways Jesus’s final week teaches us about disconnection, and the idea that through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can overcome the separation that seems to be at the heart of our suffering.
What do you do when you are faced with life challenges than are more than you can bear? Meg Johnson shares how you can find peace with your circumstances and experience strength in your faith as you embrace a hope in heaven that will guide you through even the most challenging of life’s moments.
When Jeannie was 5 years old, her dad drove her to the salt flats and left her there alone in the middle of the night. Little did she know that this was just the beginning of the incredibly difficult trials and challenges she would face in her life. But God had a plan for her, and while it would take many years, she was finally able to discover the gospel and realize her true worth. Now in her 60's Jeannie spends her time giving children hope and comfort with her charity Forever Hugs, where she provides teddy bears to kids in hospitals.
Steve sits down in studio with Drs. Esther-Miriam Wagner and Emma Harris from the Woolf Institute of Cambridge University to discuss why the British don't "do" religion and how their institute hopes to change that attitude.
After a devastating loss, starting over might be the last thing we want to do. What does it even mean to “start over” after the death of a loved one? When Dr. Sonya Coley Pitchford lost her 34-year-old daughter, Tanieka, to a sudden heart attack, her whole life changed. In this episode, Dr. Pitchford shares how she managed to keep going and eventually find hope after a crushing loss.
No one gets married with the belief that they will get divorced and yet divorce is a reality for so many. No matter if you are the person who was forced into divorce or the one who wanted the divorce, there are so many emotions that come up when a couple goes through this process. Coach Suzanne Platt is on the podcast today talking about the importance of dealing with all the emotions that come from divorce, learning how to process them, and then stepping forward into a bright future post divorce. Suzanne wants everyone to know that there is hope and light on the other side of divorce and you don’t have to navigate the path alone. If you have gone through a divorce and are struggling, please reach out to Suzanne and let her help you navigate this path with you.